Alive and Made New

Colossae was a city located in the western part of modern-day Turkey.

A Letter to the Church in Colossae

Paul (along with Timothy) wrote to the church in Colossae. Paul started this letter with a prayer of thanksgiving for the church. Paul mentioned that Epaphras, the church founder in Colossae, was a faithful minister of Christ. From the time Paul and Timothy had heard of the establishment of the church, they had prayed for its members. Paul spoke about Christ being the image of God and the firstborn of all creation. He noted that all things had been created through and for Jesus and that Jesus had made peace through His sacrifice on the cross. People were once separated from God, but Christ had brought them to Him.

Paul's Ministry

Paul shared with the Colossians that he rejoiced in his sufferings for their sake. He had become a minister to make the word of God fully known, proclaiming the mystery that had been hidden but was now revealed to God's saints. God had chosen to make known the riches of His glorious mystery to the Gentiles. Paul's purpose was to teach everyone so that they could mature in Christ. It was for this reason that he faced many struggles, but he was able to persevere with Christ's strength.

Paul wanted the Colossians to know how hard he was working for them and what he had been through on their behalf. He had done this to encourage them to be bound together in love. Although he was not there physically, he was there in spirit. He remarked that they had received Christ, and now they should walk with Christ. They should make sure that no one misled them with false philosophies or lies. They had been buried in baptism but raised with Christ.

Paul instructed them not to let anyone disqualify them. They were not to let others judge what they ate or drank, or what days they celebrated. They did not need to submit to regulations regarding what they handled, tasted, or touched, according to human ideas. The people trying to make the Colossians do these things appeared wise, but they promoted a self-made religion. The Colossians only needed to follow Christ, not what other people thought was the right way.

Paul reminded them that they should set their minds on things of heaven and not things of the world. They had died but were reborn in Christ. They were to put to death earthly things like sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness. They were also to put away anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk. They should instead show compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. The main quality they should exhibit was love. Whatever they did in word and deed should always be done in the name of Jesus Christ, and they needed to give thanks to God through Jesus.

Christian Household Rules

Paul wrote that wives should submit to their husbands and that husbands should love their wives. Children must obey their parents. Fathers should not make their children angry. Servants should obey their masters, not just in what could be observed but also from the heart. Whenever anyone worked, he or she should work for Christ, not to please others. God would give an inheritance for this. Masters should treat their servants fairly since they themselves had a master in heaven. Paul urged the Colossians to continue to pray with thanksgiving. He asked them to pray for Timothy and him.

Paul said that he was sending a man named Tychicus to fill them in on his activities. This was also to encourage the hearts of the people there. A man named Onesimus would also be coming with Tychicus. Paul asked them to remember him and all those who were imprisoned.

Philemon was a leader in the church at Colossae. Onesimus had been Philemon's servant and had run away. Onesimus was imprisoned with Paul.

A Letter to Philemon

Paul was imprisoned when he wrote a letter to a leader in the church at Colossae named Philemon. Paul told Philemon that he always remembered him in his prayers because of his great faith and love for Jesus Christ and all of the saints. Philemon's love had given him joy and comfort. Paul then brought up another reason for his letter to Philemon.

Onesimus had been a slave of Philemon's. Paul appealed on behalf of his fellow prisoner and Christian brother, Onesimus. Paul had become like a father to Onesimus while they were both imprisoned. Before this imprisonment, Onesimus had been of no value to Paul or Philemon. Paul announced that he was sending Onesimus back to Philemon to serve Philemon in the church during Paul's imprisonment. Paul believed that Onesimus may have left Philemon so that he could return to Philemon as a brother in the Lord and not as a servant.

Paul requested that Philemon receive Onesimus as if he were receiving Paul himself. Paul stated that if Onesimus had wronged Philemon at any time, Paul would repay this debt.

Summary

Paul wrote to the church in Colossae. Paul opened the letter with his usual thanksgiving and prayer. He talked about how Christ was the image of God and the firstborn of all creation. Paul wrote about his suffering and how he had happily accepted it for the sake of the Colossians. God had chosen to make known the riches of His glorious mystery to the Gentiles. Paul cautioned the Colossians about listening to false teachers trying to put dietary restrictions on them.

Paul informed his readers that wives should submit to their husbands and husbands should love their wives. Children must obey their parents, and fathers should not provoke their children. Whenever God's followers worked, they should work to please God, not others.

Paul appealed on behalf of his fellow prisoner and Christian brother, Onesimus. Paul wanted Onesimus to be greeted by Philemon, his former master. Paul promised that if Onesimus owed Philemon anything, he would pay it.

Application and Reflection

Application

In a letter to Philemon, Paul addressed the issue of Christian brotherhood. Paul used his influence to bring peace by attempting to help resolve the dispute between Onesimus and Philemon. When we have influence, it is important to use it for good. We should follow Paul's example of persuasion rather than forcing people into doing things. Kind convincing often works better than heavy-handed force or commands.

Reflection

Paul wrote that masters should treat their servants fairly since they, too, had a master in heaven. Employees should also be treated fairly. Employers should consider their employees' best interests when making business decisions. Do you think treating employees fairly is good for a business?